Cover for electrical outlet-boxes.



E. H. FREEMAN. COVER FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET BOXES. nruonmx mum mm: 2-1, 1910.

971,002. Patented se t; 20,1910.

11V VEN TOR E {70f H rmarz .all metal construction for UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

EDGAR H. FREEMAN, OF TREN'TON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO E. FREEMAN ELEG- TRIG COMPANY, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY,

A. COEEORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COVER- FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

Application filed'll'une 24, 1910. Serial No. 568,739.

trical Out-let-B0xes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of littings employed in connection with electrical wiring which are variously termed outlet boxes, junction boxes, convertlets, and more recently known in the trade as condulets, and which comprise means for facilitating the branching of electrical wires in distributing the same for lighting and other purposes.

To this end the present invention particularly has in View an improvement in the covers for outlet boxes of the character re ferred to, whereby the cover shall be thoroughly reinforced so as to possess exceptional strength and durability, while at the same time being so combined with novel fastening means for the insulating bushings for the branch Wires as to admit of an the cover, instead of necessitating the making thereof from insulating material as is now the case with some forms of outlet boxes. Flll'illQllllOlQ,

in this connection, the invention contemor shed or broken.

plates a simple and very efiicient fastening means for the insulatim bushings which curely and firmly holds each individual bushing in such a manner that the some cannot fall out of position even if badly With these and other objects inv view which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully pointed out, illustruted and claimed.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an outlet box having a cover fitted with the improven'ients contemplated by the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is an inverted detail perspective view of the fastening cup plate which fits over and reinforces .the passage of the wi the cover plate and comprises means for feetening in place the individual insulating bushings.

Like references designate corresponding ports in the several figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the invention is illustrated as being applied to the well known condulet type of outlet box which essentially consists of u hollow, oblong box body 1, one side of which is open for the branching and distributing of the wires, while the opposite side of which is of closed formation and is provided with c centrally located inlet neck 2 through which the cable or plu *ality of wires enter the bolt, and

which neck is coupled to the pipe or other According to the present invention, the open side of the box body is designed to he covered and inclosed by a metallic cover plate 3 of an oblong shape corresponding to that of the box body 1 and detachably seconduit curr ing the same.

' cured to the latter through the medium of the fastening screws s or equivalent devices.

To provide for the branching and distribnting of the wires which are brought into the body 1 through the neck 2, the said metallic or equivalent cover plate 3 is provided there in with a plurality of outlet holes 3, each of which outlet holes has fitted therein a police lain or equivalent insulating bushing at. .llach insulating bushing t is provided with a smooth rounding hole therethrough for c, and is preferabiy formed with an intermediate rest shoulder 5 having an abutment or sent directly upon the outer face of the cover plate 3, said shoulder 5 producing on the body of the bushing an inner integral neck portion 5 registering within the outlet hole in the cover plate. Another feature in the construction of the individmil insulating bushing is that of forming the same with. the ex ternally tapered outer head portions o naving it cooperating engagement with holding members of a fastening cap plate 7. The fastening cup plate '2 consists of a sheet metal plate of the same form the cover plate and commensurate in dimension therewith so as to form a cap or facing which ontirely covers and faces the outer side of the cover plate, and in order to pcrnmnently and intiumtely secure the two plates together, the said metallic cup plate 7 is preferably "formed about its edgaor perimeter with a cover plate 3 as plainly shown in Fig. 3 ofv the drawings. A distinctive feature of the cap plate 7 is that of punching out and forming therefrom a plurality of ofistanding inclined annular holding flanges 8, which are in fact individual tapering rings which snugly register with and clamp upon the tapered head portion 6 of the bushings 4. There is one of the holding flanges or rings 8 for each of the insulating bushings so that when the cover parts are all secured together, as shown in Fig. 2, the cap plate 7 not only reinforces and strengthens the cover plate against breakage, but also the holding flanges or rings 8 tightly clamp, in wedging engagement, upon the bushing head 6 and thereby hold the bushings rigidly in place. By reason of this construction, it will also be observed that on account of the haracter of the engagement between the flanges 8 and the bushings, and the fact that said flanges are in ring form, the bushings will be held in position even if badly cracked or broken.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and advantages of the herein described improvements will be readily apparent Without further description.

I claim:

1. An outlet box cover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate, and a metallic cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having a holding engagement with said bushings.

2. An outlet box cover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate,. and a cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having flanges engaging the bushings.

3. An outlet box cover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate, and a cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having individual holding flanges for each bushing.

t. An outlet box cover comprising a cover plate, wire holding bushings titted to the cover plate, and a cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having individual holding means for each bushing.

5. An outlet'boxcover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate, and a cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having individual annular holding flanges for each bushing.

(5. An out-let box cover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate and having tapered head portions, and a cap plate secured upon the cover plate and having tapering annular holding flanges embracing the bushings.

7. An outlet box cover comprising a cover plate, insulating bushings fitted to the cover plate and having tapered head portions, and a cap plate having a marginal securing flange engaging the edge of thecover plate, and also provided With tapering annular holding flanges for the bushings.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR H. FREEMAN.

l/Vitnesses:

BESSIE BATH, C. J. FAISER. 

